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Sustainable house design is gradually becoming a key research topic, as people keen to learn some useful techniques to build or renovate their homes. In such a way, energy bills and indoor thermal discomfort can be significantly reduced. Whilst doing research, it is important to note that sustainable house design considerations may vary according to the climate zone you are in.
Eight Climate Zones
Australian Climate Zones, defined by the Building Code of Australia (BCA), are eight zones that have special climatic features. In each zone, the building design and construction requirements are different. This is due to distinct local geographic features, such as wind patterns and sea level elevation. Below summarizes the climactic features of each zone and the corresponding cities within that zone.
Zone 1 climatic features: high humidity summer, warm winter
Cities within zone 1: Exmouth, Broome, Wyndham, Katherine, Darwin, Weipa, Cooktown, Cairns, Townsville
Zone 2 climatic features: warm humid summer, mild winter
Cities within zone 2: Mackay, Rockhampton, Maryborough, Brisbane and Coffs Harbour
Zone 3 climatic features: hot dry summer, warm winter
Cities within zone 3: Carnarvon, Newman, Tennant, Creek, Mount Isa, Alice Spring, Longreach and Charleville
Zone 4 climatic features: hot dry summer, cool winter
Cities within zone 4: Yalgoo, Warburton, Coober Pedy, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Bourke, Tamworth, Broken Hill, Mildura, Albury-Wodonga
Zone 5 climatic features: warm temperate
Cities within zone 5: Geraldton, Perth, Bunbury, Esperance, Eucla, Ceduna, Whyalla, Adelaide, Wollongong, Sydney and Newcastle
Zone 6 climatic features: mild temperate
Cities within zone 6: Albany, Melbourne
Zone 7 climatic features: cool temperate
Cities within zone 7: Ballarat, Canberra, Launceston and Hobart
Zone 8 climatic features: alpine
Cities within zone 8: Central Tasmania
Climate Zone 1
Climate zone 1 spreads out across the north part of Australia. As this zone is near the Earth’s equator and along the sea line, it has a moderate to high temperature, and high humidity all year round. To reduce overall energy use, it is important to maximize the cooling effect in your house to increase thermal comfort. Some passive sustainable house design elements that can be considered in your home are listed below:
In free running buildings (that is buildings without air conditioning)
In conditioned buildings (that is building with air conditioning)
Resources:
YourHome:
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/design-climate
Australian Building Codes Board:
https://www.abcb.gov.au/Resources/Tools-Calculators/Climate-Zone-Map-Australia-Wide